Surah Qaaf: Verse 18: Not a word does a person utter without a vigilant observer ready to write it down.
اَلْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ اَلْمُسْلِمُوْنَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَ يَدِهِ ((صحيح مسلم، رقم 41))
Hadith: A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand others are safe.
INTRODUCTION
We are exposed to so many talks for our reformation; why is there no change? Words are many but there is no action? Sadly, the only reason is that there is no desire or intention to reforming ourselves. We have been sent to this world to live our lives in the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and not to involve ourselves in actions that will impact on our Aakhirah.
THE GREAT ADVICE OF HAZRAT MOULANA SAYYID ASGAR HUSSAIN SAHIB رحمه الله
Hazrat Mufti Shafi Sahib رحمه الله went to visit his respected teacher Hazrat Sayyid Hussain Sahib رحمه الله, and Hazrat told him that today we will converse in Arabic. Why? Hazrat explained that we will involve ourselves in speaking with caution. Unfortunately, our lives are being destroyed by backbiting and slander…
As an example; a person is on journey but he is reckless in his expenses. Eventually, he realizes that there is still a long way to go and his provisions are nearly exhausted. What will he do now? He will carefully spend the balance with diligence.
Similar is our case, we have wasted our lives in futility and sin; now we need to be careful with the greatest bounty; i.e. time. Our lives are like a block of ice melting away so we should examine whether our actions are a source of success or loss; the reality is that we have very little time left to please Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
THE REALITY…
We don’t know how long we have to live; we have compromised our Aakhirah. Ask ourselves; do we really fear Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله? We are presently involved in hankering after our desires; exercise no caution in speech, we are involved in acts of futilities and this is affecting our hearts.
If we look at the mirror; it will give off a reflection. If the reflection is dirty, the reflection too will be with defects. But can we blame the mirror? The need is to clean the mirror and then the reflection will be clear.
Similarly, we have tainted the mirrors of our hearts; resulting in poor behaviour; but if we reflect and ponder, thereafter involve ourselves in Zikrullah, there will certainly be a positive effect. At present, we have no time for Zikr and no concern for our salvation in the Aakhirah. Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Sahib رحمه الله has said that we don’t want to realise that because of our sins; our hearts are becoming black due to the excesses of our sins and there is an indifference towards rectifying ourselves; the net result is becoming habitual in sin.
OUR PITIFUL CONDITION
Our tongues are used to speak lies; our character is that of pride, being rebellious towards Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. We generally have contempt for others other than making shukr for the bounties of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Bounties are an examination; when we are grateful, the bounty is preserved and one then becomes close to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. When bounties are not used appropriately, we are opening the door to destruction. Look at our weddings? The Sunnah is that we adopt simplicity but we do the opposite; can we then expect blessings?
THE NEED IS TO CHANGE OUR MINDSET
There is a need for humility; by making shukr (being grateful), the bounties which we are enjoying will be preserved. By virtue of expressing gratitude, the bounties will not be snatched away. We need to remind ourselves that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has given and Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله can take away. The requirement is to ensure that both our Zaahir and Baatin are within the confines of Deen. We cannot be complicit and have to ensure obedience in both facets of our lives. We have this disease that we speak ill of family members; husband speaks ill of the wife and vice versa. Sadly, speaking ill of in-laws has become an occupation! We have to take care of what emanates from our tongues and exercise great caution.
THE CATASTROPHE OF BEING ENSLAVED BY OUR DEVICES
The catastrophe of the abuse of our mobile phones is creating havoc in our society. We are not cautious with regards to our messages and we are literally spreading mischief. Our ladies require to ask themselves; is it really necessary to have our mobile phones in the kitchen? Did we not survive without them before? We have lost direction so badly that we are taking our phones with us to the toilets! Look at the calamity of whatsapp; the sender is reckless. We share Quranic advices without references; many posts are exaggerated. Why do we want to destroy our lives? The reality is that we are pounded with bounties but we have no peace. We are in pursuit of happiness but our hearts are devoid of peace. Examine the immodesty and disrespect that has consumed our lives; there is disrespect for the mother from the daughter, disrespect for the teacher from the student, from the employee towards the employer – the sad state of the Ummah is that we have not reformed our lives and therefore holding our heads in despair! One of the primary causes is because of the excesses of the phone. People have generally become addicts; our behaviour shows that we are devoid of character. Of particular concern is the lack of tolerance in our lives.
If we are desirous of peace and happiness; listen to our elders. If we carefully examine their lives, we will see that they were motivated by pleasing Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله and His Rasool صلى الله عليه و سلم. Comfort will be attained through Tarbiyyah (rectification). Our families are like a burning inferno, we are spiritually dead and the evil effects of the phones are being witnessed. Sadly, we have become the slaves of our devices. We can greet everyone on social media but no time to make salaam to our parents? How cruel have we become? How far have we strayed?
Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم went to the door of a Sahabi and made salaam thrice and upon receiving no answer, he started to leave. Examine the temperament of the Sahaabi رضي الله عنه; he runs out towards Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه و سلم and said that he deliberately did not answer because he desired more duaas of peace! Our relation to our parents is like tik tok; there is a distinct lack of humanity. How sad that we have compromised our lives.
CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF CARING
We have to create an environment of caring and concern at home. There must be a distinct detachment to our phones because this cyber addiction is destroying the family unit. It is even more essential for our ladies to take the lead and create the environment of love in our houses.
The reality is that we are fast proceeding to our graves but let us examine our legacy for our children? Why are our children stubborn? We, as parents, are the problem! We have to institute discipline and control the usage of our devices. Create a password on our phones that we have given to our children and only allow them limited time; the phones will automatically go off. We can make a difference if we choose compassion. A person may ask; what is the hassle if we give the phone to our kids? Will we give a sharp knife or matches to our kids? Obviously not! Because we know the danger. In exactly the same way; we as parents cannot shirk our responsibility.
Even the west has acknowledged the evil effects of the phones and devices. In Australia, it is prohibited for a child under sixteen to have a social media account. If the child is caught, the parents are charged! One of the effects of screen addiction is AUTISM: we find that the child is withdrawn and not sociable. Is this not what we are now witnessing? We need to open our eyes and as parents, attach ourselves to our children. We cannot be complacent in showing affection. We need to be a means of comfort to our families. Let us consume ourselves in the reformation of our children because they are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. Let us create a culture of obedience to Allah Ta‘ala جل جلاله and being embodiments of humanity.
We are so busy that we cannot talk? How do we communicate? We say this with broken hearts that due to our absorption to our devices, many have succumb to illicit relationships. Our lack of communication has driven out our children from our homes; they have invited disgrace to the family. Our lives are a trust, let us emulate the Sunnah of love and caring!